Travel Technology - Good price on Kensington 120w universal power supply

The Kensington 120w universal power supply sells new for between $120 and $160. It's smaller and lighter than other universal supplies and comes with a power port and cigarette light adapter.

I recently bought 2 from an eBay seller for $39.95 each. These are new units and differ from what Kensington sells only by the number of power tips that come with it (only 3 -- an N5, N15 and N3). However, Kensington will send you a tip for your laptop for free if these don't fit (I just called them and requested a tip for my Sony VAIO SZ440 -- it's on the way).

I normally don't mention eBay sales, but the price was really good and shipping was reasonable and prompt. If you're looking for a good universal power supply for a laptop or other device (I'm going to use one of these with my portable printer so I don't have to carry the bulkier and heavier power supply that was provided with it), you might want to check this out.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&item=260341748949

Needless to say, I have no connection to this seller and my only interest is sharing a good deal with fellow FTers.

So you got the compatible tip from Kensington even though the purchase was on eBay? I noted that the seller will include one additional tip from the list
{N3, N4, N5, N15, J2, J6, M1, N19}. Will Kensington send a different tip (Aspire One needs N14, for example).

What must one tell Kensington to get the one free tip?

Cheers.

So you got the compatible tip from Kensington even though the purchase was on eBay? I noted that the seller will include one additional tip from the list
{N3, N4, N5, N15, J2, J6, M1, N19}. Will Kensington send a different tip (Aspire One needs N14, for example).

What must one tell Kensington to get the one free tip?

Cheers.I told Kensington, "I have a 33197 power supply and it doesn't have tips to fit my VAIO." The looked up the model number, said, "You need an N27. We'll send it free."

I asked Kensington about a tip for my Aspire One. According to them, none of their tips will fit (which simply means it's not on their list). I found an N14 on eBay (I didn't even notice the part about providing an extra tip) and just got that. The N14 isn't a perfect fit, but it's pretty close.

This is an older model for Kensington, last made in 2006 IIRC. I know the seller says "condition: new" but I'd bet they're refurbs, especially given the low number of tips included.

No mention of the N29 tips for ThinkPad T60 and newer series.

One of these goes with me everywhere--for the laptop, iPod and cell phone. You can also pick up a splitter for more than one device at a time and a retractable cable to replace the one that comes with it (saves some space in the bag.) Kensington is also known for their good service.

Another option, and not meant to detract from the OP, is a refurb model from jr.com for $19.99 here (http://www.jr.com/kensington-notebook-power-adapter/pe/KEG_33197_hy_RB/).

Also note that it works with AC and DC sources, so you can use it to power your devices on a plane, in a car, or plugged into an AC outlet.

One of these goes with me everywhere--for the laptop, iPod and cell phone. You can also pick up a splitter for more than one device at a time and a retractable cable to replace the one that comes with it. Kensington is also known for their good service.

Another option, and not meant to detract from the OP, is a refurb model from jr.com for $19.99 here (http://www.jr.com/kensington-notebook-power-adapter/pe/KEG_33197_hy_RB/).

I'm not sure those refurb units come with the DC/Empower cable - Fry's has been selling the same unit for $29, but it only comes with AC, the one the OP posted has AC and DC cables (at least in the photo).

I'm not sure those refurb units come with the DC/Empower cable - Fry's has been selling the same unit for $29, but it only comes with AC, the one the OP posted has AC and DC cables (at least in the photo).


I ordered a couple of the refurbs from JR earlier and they did come with the DC/Empower cables. YMMV, but the item description does say AC/DC.

This is an older model for Kensington, last made in 2006 IIRC.

It's still on Kensington's website, not discontinued.

That's a great power supply adapter!

I modified/hacked my MacBook Pro's AC adapter so that I can use the Kensington power adapter in it's place with the magsafe connector. It comes in handy on the road when I need to power my MacBook Pro while traveling in the car.

I'm not sure those refurb units come with the DC/Empower cable - Fry's has been selling the same unit for $29, but it only comes with AC, the one the OP posted has AC and DC cables (at least in the photo).The two that I received came with the DC/Empower cable. In fact, that's why I bought the first one -- I had lost the Empower cable and Kensington wouldn't sell me a new one.

My refruib from J&R came with the dc and other cables. If there was any complaint about it, it is that the ac cable is like three inches long. Other then that, I love this unit, it is always in the travel bag.

Another option, and not meant to detract from the OP, is a refurb model from jr.com for $19.99 here (http://www.jr.com/kensington-notebook-power-adapter/pe/KEG_33197_hy_RB/).



Sweet deal - picked one up for my new Vaio - beats the heck out of $120. Now all I need is a tip for the cell phone and GPS and we're down to one cord in the bag, one that stays in home office and one that stays connected to port replicator in real office!

My refruib from J&R came with the dc and other cables. If there was any complaint about it, it is that the ac cable is like three inches long. Other then that, I love this unit, it is always in the travel bag.I think they did that deliberately - the transformer probably needs air all around it to act as a heat sink. Keeping the AC cord short keeps the transformer up in the air, and then of course you get your normal 6 feet of cord coming out of the transformer and into your computer.